Убийство Роджера Экройда

           "Notheoryofaccidentwillholdwaterforaminute."Mrs.Ackroydlookedatmeindistress.IhadnopatiencewithwhatIthoughtwashersillyfearofunpleasantness.

           "Ifthere’saninquest,I–Ishan’thavetoanswerquestionsandallthat,shallI?"sheasked.

           "Idon’tknowwhatwillbenecessary,"Ianswered."IimagineMr.Raymondwilltakethebruntofitoffyou.Heknowsallthecircumstances,andcangiveformalevidenceofidentification."Thelawyerassentedwithalittlebow.

           "Ireallydon’tthinkthereisanythingtodread,Mrs.Ackroyd,"hesaid."Youwillbesparedalltheunpleasantness.

           Now,astothequestionofmoney,haveyouallyouneedforthepresent?Imean,"headded,asshelookedathiminquiringly,"readymoney.Cash,youknow.

           Ifnot,Icanarrangetoletyouhavewhateveryourequire.""Thatoughttobeallright,"saidRaymond,whowasstandingby."Mr.Ackroydcashedachequeforahundredpoundsyesterday.""Ahundredpounds?""Yes.Forwagesandotherexpensesduetoday.Atthemomentitisstillintact.""Whereisthismoney?Inhisdesk?""No,healwayskepthiscashinhisbedroom.Inanoldcollarbox,tobeaccurate.Funnyidea,wasn’tit?""Ithink,"saidthelawyer,"weoughttomakesurethemoneyistherebeforeIleave.""Certainly,"agreedthesecretary."I’lltakeyouupnow…Oh!Iforgot.Thedoor’slocked.